Shadow Slave

Chapter 12

Right now, that obstacle was looking down, avoiding Sunny's gaze. His hand was resting on the sword handle. As always, the young slave had no idea about what was going on inside Hero's perfectly shaped head.

The uncertainty was making him nervous.

Finally, after some time had passed, the soldier spoke:

"I have only one question."

Both Sunny and Scholar stared at him while holding their breaths.

"Yes?"

"You said that one of us must be sacrificed to save the other two. Why him? From what I see, you are far closer to the grave."

'A great question! I was just about to ask it myself.'

Sunny turned to the older slave, trying very hard to suppress a mocking grin. But to his dismay, Scholar had an answer ready.

"Before the first attack, he was already bleeding because of your senior's whip. During the attack, he was drenched in the blood of a fellow slave. His cloak, too, was soaked in it when the previous owner died. The boy already reeks of blood. Keeping him alive will put us in danger. That's why he is the best choice."

The grin died before reaching Sunny's face.

'Curse you and your big brain!'

Scholar's reasoning was appallingly solid. Hero listened, his expression growing darker with each word. Finally, he looked at Sunny, a dangerous light shining in his eyes.

"That is true."

Sunny felt his mouth getting dry. Cold sweat was running down his spine. He tensed, ready to act…

But at that moment, Hero smiled.

"Your logic is almost unassailable," he said, unsheathing the sword. "However, you failed to account for one thing."

raised an eyebrow, trying to hide

"What might that be?"

disappearing from his face. Now,

that I know who you are, Your Grace. I also know what you've done, and how you ended up a salve. Just one of the revolting crimes

Scholar's eyes widened.

the

make you bleed enough to overpower whatever residual scent the boy

forward with a speed that seemed almost inhuman. A moment later, Scholar was shrieking on the ground, his leg broken with one strike from the flat side of the young soldier's sword. Not giving him

that, Scholar was done

contrast with his usually graceful demeanor that Sunny felt

look and said in a placid

"Wait for me here."

down the path, soon disappearing behind a rock outcropping. After a few minutes, terrible screams could

left

this

believe how sudden Scholar's demise came to be.

though nothing had happened. But it was exactly that normalcy that

of Scholar's rucksack and throwing most of the firewood out, the young soldier put

go. We need

gave him a nod

only

stupid, but Sunny suddenly felt

wall. He even had time for unnecessary thoughts. A strange feeling of melancholy descended on Sunny…

walked in silence for

It's not your fault. The decision was mine,

steps ahead, so Sunny couldn't

don't. Just trust me when I say

one

actions, always desperate to maintain an illusion of righteousness even while doing most foul

an answer, Hero

talk, do you?

didn't speak again after that, each preoccupied with their own

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